As the night dragged on, Collin couldn’t seem to fall asleep. Breven had passed out as soon as his beefy head had hit the pillow. His snores roared like thunder, shaking the room with every exhale.  But this was not the reason Collin couldn't sleep; it was because every time he closed his eyes all he could see was fire and death, the echoes of lost voices ringing in his ears. 

He sat up slowly and crawled out of bed, sneaking out to the balcony. He leaned against the iron railing and looked out over the city. It was lit with lantern light and the radiance of bioluminescent mushrooms, hues of pink, yellow, and blue. A group of people had gathered in the street, dancing and singing together to the tune of a bard’s lute. 

“I wish we did not have to leave this place. Maybe we can stay, finally threw them off our trail.” Collin said gently, anxiously rubbing the rune on his wrist.

“Who?” a voice asked. 

Collin flinched, whipping toward the direction the voice had come from. Standing on the side of the balcony was a man in a dark cloak and masquerade mask. He wore a frilly, cream-colored shirt and tight-fitted maroon pants. A pair of gold, diamond-shaped earrings hung for his ears. He balanced effortlessly upon the thin, metal railing. 

“Who are you?” Collin asked loudly. 

The man flipped off the railing, landing elegantly on his feet. “My name is Kace,” he whispered. “And I would lower your voice if you don’t wish to wake your friend,” he said, peering inside at Breven.

Collin took a deep breath and asked softly, “What do you want?”

“So many things,” Kace sighed, brushing back his shaggy brown hair. “Riches beyond belief, servants at my beckoning call, a castle-maybe even two! One for the Spring and the other for the Winter.”

“And what does any of that have to do with me?” Collin groused.

“Because there is a way for me to have all of those things, and you and your associate are looking for it,” he answered coolly. 

“The Oracle.” Collin gasped softly. “But what makes you think we would share it?”

In the streets below, the bard began a new song, vigorously plucking at the strings of his lute. The crowd erupted with cheers, dancing together in a large circle. Kace peered down at them and then back up at Collin. He bowed, offering out his slender hand. Collin hesitated, then took it. Kace led him into a dance, following the bard’s melody. 

“Because of my good looks perhaps?” Kace asked. 

“There is little to look upon when you hide your face with that mask.” Collin teased, smiling. 

“Then what about my abilities?” he asked, suddenly disappearing from Collin’s view. He reappeared by his side, taking Collin’s hand and lifting it up for a spin. “My father was a wizard but my mother was human. I may not have access to all magic, but I do have a few tricks.” he purred, suddenly making a rose appear in his hand and offering it to Collin.

“My partner in there has a big sword and I have endless sarcasm. I think we will do just fine without your street magic.” Collin teased, smelling the rose's sweet scent. 

“I think you will need my help eventually,” Kace said confidently. 

“Is that right?” Collin asked, raising one eyebrow above the other. “Well, if I am to invite you to our party, I would like to know the face of the man I am working with,” he said gently, caressing the side of the black and gold mask. Kace disappeared once more, Collin’s hand still outstretched to where his face had been. He turned around to find Kace back on the railing. 

“We shall meet again, Magpie,” he said softly. 

“Magpie?” Collin inquired curiously. Kace silently raised a finger up to his hair. Collin glanced up at his half white, half black hair and blushed. 

“But how will I-?” Collin began, but just before he could finish, Kace leaped off the back of the balcony. Collin leaned over the railing, searching the streets below, but Kace had already disappeared for good. 

. . .

When Collin crept back inside, he found Breven standing, facing the door with his sword drawn. 

“Breven, what are you-” Collin began. 

Breven lifted his fist, a signal to be silent. The air was still, tense. The door burst open with a wave of smoke, pushing Breven back several feet. He cast the door aside and let out a war cry like an animal’s roar, charging forward with his sword held by his side. A figure emerged from the doorway, flicking his wrist. Breven froze mid-stride, his muscles turning stiff. 

“What have you done, you fiend?” Breven snarled, struggling to move his mouth as if his lips had turned numb.

“So, you found yourself a bodyguard?” the figure asked coolly. With another flick of his wrist, Breven began to cough violently, wheezing for air. 

“Stop it, Ireth!” Collin yelled. “He has nothing to do with me!”

With the snap of Ireth's fingers, Breven collapsed to his knees, taking in large gulps of air. He emerged from the smoke wearing a fine suit draped in a dark cloak, held together by a silver chain. His face was sunken and pale,  dark rings growing beneath his pale blue eyes. His hair was as oily and black as a raven feather, tied back into a long ponytail. 

“When will you learn, Shared Soul?” Ireth chuckled, shaking his head.  “Wherever you go, the Knights will soon follow. There is no place, no person, strong enough to keep you from our grasp-'' A silver blade ripped through Ireth’s chest. Breven stood behind him, breathless. 

“Don’t underestimate me so easily.” Breven snarled, pulling out the blade with a sickening squelch. 

Collin watched in horror as the wound on Ireth’s chest began to mend itself, the blood seeping back inside as if pulled by some invisible force. 

“I didn’t recognize you at first…” Ireth breathed, scrutinizing Breven. “You were once a Knight, were you not? Even before they began to work for my father.”

“You’ve grown since the last I saw of you, Prince.” Breven spat. 

“And you have grown rusty.” Ireth returned, poised. He grabbed the crossbow from beneath his cloak and fired. A silver arrow ripped through Breven’s shoulder, blood trickling down his arm. Breven charged, swinging his sword toward Ireth’s throat. Ireth smirked, lifting his hand out toward him. But before he could complete the spell, his neck was suddenly pinned between the sword’s blade and a wolf’s jaws. Tentatively, he looked back and saw an enormous black wolf standing behind him, snarling against the back of his neck. 

“Why did you come here, Prince?” Breven spat.

“For your ‘friend’ over there.” Ireth panted, smiling cruelly. “He’s been alluding the Knights for quite some time now.”

“What do you want with him?” Breven barked. Ireth’s eyes grew as wide as his smile.

“He hasn’t told you?” he laughed. “Keeping secrets already, eh Stripes!” he yelled to Collin, chuckling.

Breven butted the Prince with the handle of his sword, knocking him unconscious. He charged toward Collin, scooping him up onto his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Collin yelled as Breven carried him out to the balcony.  

“Making our grand escape!” Breven yelled triumphantly, leaping off the railing.